After robbery in Shrewsbury, toy giant Hasbro has big heart

SHREWSBURY 
It looked like some Grinches would snatch the Christmas joy from some needy families after breaking into a storage facility at St. Anne’s Church on Route 9 this week and stealing thousands of dollars worth of gifts that were to be distributed to the poor.

However, Hasbro, the Rhode-Island based toymaker giant, has promised to replace the toys and church volunteers are confident that the community will also step up with donations to replace other items that were stolen.

Police said that thieves broke into a shed at the Roman Catholic church sometime between 1:15 p.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Tuesday. Taken were presents for poor children and gift cards to assist needy families over the holiday season.

Police conservatively estimated that between $2,000 and $3,000 worth of goods were stolen.

“These gifts were donated because of the good in the community,” Sgt. Alfred C. Pratt II said. “This is a rough time of year to see a theft like this.”

After learning about the theft from news reports, Hasbro officials decided to make a donation of toys.

The Pawtucket, R.I., company has a history of philanthropy and recently donated 36,000 games and toys, which were valued at $450,000, to the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation for distribution to children affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Karen Davis, a company spokeswoman, said the company will provide about 300 toys to St. Anne’s, at a cost of about $3,000.

“We like to help out when we can,” Ms. Davis said.

The parish, located at 130 Boston Turnpike, has historically provided outreach to the area’s needy and operates a thrift shop in the church basement.

“Many of our churches try to help out those who have very little,” said Raymond L. Delisle, a spokesman for the Diocese of Worcester.

He said a survey taken a couple of years ago showed that about two-thirds of diocesan parishes do something to help the poor over the holiday season.

“Sometimes the churches will do it on their own and sometimes they will do it in partnership with other organizations,” Mr. Delisle said.